At Mocean Energy, we’ve long believed that the future of energy lies in the ocean. From subsea oil and gas to the fast-evolving world of marine renewables, innovation is the tide that connects energy markets across the globe.
For that reason, we were delighted to see the recent news of the growing collaboration between two powerhouses in the underwater space. The UK’s Global Underwater Hub (GUH) and Australia’s Subsea Innovation Cluster Australia (SICA) have teamed up to accelerate innovation and opportunity in the subsea sector – not just within their own borders, but across hemispheres.
Collaboration across oceans
The GUH represents the UK’s £9.2 billion underwater industry, spanning oil and gas, offshore renewables, defence, and marine science. SICA, meanwhile, brings together companies from across Australia’s dynamic subsea sector. Through this MoU, the pair will facilitate new innovation programmes and encourage UK and Australian firms to co-develop and deploy subsea technologies tailored to both regions.
Australia is rightly regarded as one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic energy markets. Already a global energy heavyweight – with exports of coal and LNG making up over two-thirds of domestic production – the country is now setting its sights on a lower-carbon future.
What makes Australia especially compelling is its dual commitment: maximising the value of its offshore oil and gas reserves while aggressively pursuing decarbonisation goals. It’s home to some of the longest subsea tiebacks and largest offshore developments in the world – and now also one of the biggest offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) markets globally, alongside the UK and Norway.
But all of this presents a unique set of challenges – from harsh marine environments to the energy demands of deep-sea operations. That’s where innovative, clean technologies like ocean energy come in.
The role of ocean energy
During Mocean’s trips Down Under, we have seen firsthand the growing enthusiasm for wave energy and the role it can play in Australia’s future energy mix.
There’s a clear appetite among operators and policymakers alike to explore how ocean power can support offshore operations, particularly as backup or primary power for remote subsea infrastructure. From decommissioning and CCS to autonomous monitoring systems, reliable ocean energy solutions are more in demand than ever in an ever increasing blue economy
While the country is now in the throes of federal electoral uncertainty, with voters heading to the polls on May 3, it seems inevitable that Australia’s position as a global leader in ocean energy innovation will endure.
A shared vision for the future
As GUH and SICA formalise their partnership, we see exciting opportunities for companies like Mocean to play a key role. This isn’t just about collaboration between countries – it’s about aligning on the future of energy and unlocking sustainable solutions together that work in real-world, subsea environments.
The synergies between the UK and Australian subsea sectors are clear. With strong ambitions around net zero, a shared focus on energy security, and a willingness to invest in innovation, this partnership is poised to create real momentum.
At Mocean we’re proud to be part of this global movement – and we’re excited to see what’s next as ocean energy takes its place in the evolving offshore energy landscape.